In honor of the "Celebration of The Life of Judy Ganley" held today (4 July 2007), this poem was written by Ingrid Gledhill. Like Judy, Ingrid is a member of Maidenhead Golf Club and is also a cancer sufferer. She and Judy supported each other in their fight against their cancer.

JUDY

The magic you createdThough you were wracked with painThe happiness you spread aroundTo all in your domain.

You truly were our shining star,Your laughter charmed us all.You never fussed or once complainedYou really did enthrall.

We'd like to thank you for your giftsYou shared with everyone.Your legacy and memoryContinues now you're gone.

From the initial picture posted by BT8, there are a couple of visual clues to work with:

1. The car, #26C, looks similar to but is not a BMC FJr. Shock mount, trailing arms, dual carbs and wheels are not correct. In the background is what appears to be a Formula Vee, partial (?) number 8........

First, It's sad to hear of Judy's passing. In the late 60's- she ran the San Francisco Region SCCA office. She was great, knew everybody, cut through the usuall club B.S. and drove a fantastic Mini to boot!

Now the "mystery car" It was a BMC Mk1 Fjr modified by Grizzly Torque in Folsom Ca. ( the same guys that built the BT-8 Ford for Bart Martin. It ran a Coventry Climax 1100 cc engine hooked to a Corvette gearbox. The BMC front suspension was all removed and Triumph front uprights with fabricated a-arms substituted. The front body was from one off the later BMC rear engined cars, the rear was standard BMC Mk1. The car was later bought and run by Ray Martinelli through the 60's .
It's last race was also the last race for the local FRA (Formula Racing Assoc.) April 1969 at Vacaville CA. The car finished a solid 8th after a big spin and a long discussion with the Stewards. Those were the days!

The above article appeared in the June 2007 issue of THE WHEEL which is the monthly magazine of the San Francisco Region of the SCCA. This is the Regional Club that Judy raced in and was an officer, driving instructor, Driver Observer.

In 1997 the streets of Basildon, in Essex, England, were closed and a street circuit laid out. A number of racing drivers, past and current, were invited to come along and drive cars with notable histories. This was in aid of the Basildon Bell Tower appeal.

Adrian Hamilton brought along the 1953 Le Mans winning C-type Jaguar (chassis number '051' ) which had been driven to victory by his father, Duncan, and Tony Rolt.

At Basildon this car was assigned to Howden, and Judy was delighted to be able to accompany him for several laps, some sections of which were quite fast. Of course Judy would probably liked to have been in the driver's seat rather than the passenger seat !

Here they are just setting off from the paddock in this most historically significant C-type.

Below is a picture taken at the 1970 Sebring 12 hours of the LeMans Sprite Prototype owned by Jim Baker Racing (Atlanta, Georgia) and raced by Judy, Janet Guthrie and Rosemary Smith. After running the Sebring race and finishing first in class, the car was driven back to Atlanta and placed in Baker's car dealership showroom with all the race "patina" still in evidence. Over the years, the car passed through a few hands then disappeared. About four years ago, the car was discovered as part of a racecar collection in Texas, acquired and was undergoing a complete, frame-off restoration. Interestingly, a sister car (a roadster) that also raced at the 1970 Sebring event was also acquired and the restoration undertaken on that car as well. The last I heard, the restoration was progressing but not yet complete.

I think this email from our dear friend, Terry Regan, sums up the feelings of a lot of
people, and with his kind permission I am posting it here. Thank you Terry!

Dear Howden and Erin,

Good to see you both again, but what an awful reason. Shirley sends her love
to you both.

I though Jackie was outstanding at the church, and said so much for us all.
I simply couldn't believe that she wasn't there with us in person. Whether
she was there in spirit, which would not surprise me, we shall have to wait
and see. I guess I shall get there before either of you two to find out!!

It simply wasn't credible that we were all at Maidenhead Golf Club, and Judy
wasn't. That place and that great lady just always went together.

And I always knew that Judy would find a way to beat it, or keep it at bay
for a long, long time, no matter what. Howden and she would find a new
treatment, somehow, we all knew she would win. Because she always won, and
would always be there, for us all, but especially for you.

I thought I knew her a little, because in all the years I knew her, she
never changed a fraction, she never altered the way she acted and thought,
even a fraction, she was always, Judy.

The good friend, the great sport, the Doghouse Girl, competitive but always
modest, who fought to win, but knew how to fight with fairness and good
grace. Always the same for all of us, and we expected it to be for ever.

So I thought I knew her.

Until I heard the people, heard of her exploits, read was was written. All
the things she did before and during when I knew her, but which she never
mentioned. What a great life she led, and what a great example to everyone.

So I only knew a fraction of all that she was. But that fraction still
showed what a great person. what a great personality, and what a great
inspiration she was to everyone as to how to live a real life to the full.

We all loved her in our different ways and times, she was a little or lot
different for us all, but for everyone she was the same winner, the same
tough cookie, the same good friend, who was simply always herself.

The modest and loyalest tough cookie of them all.

I will remember her, and be grateful I knew her a little, for all of my life

In 2005, Terry Regan (above) was asked to bring a small group of friends to play in the opening tournament of the Victoria Club golf course in the Algarve, Portugal. The course had been designed by Arnold Palmer and he came to play at the opening as well as giving a golf clinic the day before. Mom and Howden were privileged to be invited, and even more so to meet Arnie.

Mom loved these sorts of events and having met Mrs. Palmer she found that they were both from the same part of California.

The night before the tournament there was a Gala Dinner, attended by the Palmers, as well as the President of Portugal and here are Mom & Howden and their group just leaving for the dinner. L to R: Terry & Shirley Regan, Howden & Judy, Ron & Jane Elder, and Sir Stephen Gomersall. They would all like to say they played very well over the three days of the tournament. . .

(While they were all rubbing shoulders with Arnie and the President, I went out with our dear friends, John Sheldon and Lesley Stevens, who took us all to a wonderful Piri Piri restaraunt the next night.)

Terry Regan was involved with the Surtees Formula One team in the 70's.
He is a good friend of John Surtees, and was also very good friends with Mike
Hailwood and Ronnie Peterson. He says he stopped going to the GP's after
Ronnie died...

John Sheldon and Lesley Stevens have become very successful in
rallying, with a quick Lotus Elan. John's partner Lesley has developed into a
superb navigator and with his pace in the car she has become a valuable
part of their winning team. John is also racing a B16 Chevron with
considerable success.

Here is Judy shortly before the start at Le Mans in 1986, when all the cars are lined up in front of the pit wall. This is the Tiga GC286 (owned by the late Roy Baker) driven by John Sheldon, Thorkild Thyrring, and Nick Nicholson. The engine expired some time in the night which at least meant that Judy, who was timekeeping, did not have to stay up for the whole 24 hours.

In 1998 Judy won the Challenge Cup at Maidenhead Golf Club and here she is being presented with it by the Ladies Captain of that year, Bema Gold. On the right is Myra Newman who had won the scratch pendant. At that time Judy and Myra were the two lowest handicap ladies in the club. Judy had also been ladies captain in 1995.

The Challenge Cup is the most prestigious of the ladies competitions and is also the oldest, having been presented to the ladies section by the men’s committee in 1926.

To reach the final one has to qualify during the year and then the top sixteen compete for the cup over two rounds. (36 holes) in September of each year.

Judy was a worthy recipient of this prestigious trophy and she was delighted to win it.

This weekend (August 16-19) is the annual Monterey Historic event. Apart from all the racing, and the Concours at Pebble Beach, there are numerous auctions such as Bonhams at Quail Lodge on Friday night, the Concorso Italiano at Fort Ord, and enough social activity to keep everybody well entertained.

Among the more special events is the Rolex Dinner, held at Bernardus Lodge (the wonderful winery and restaurant owned by Ben Pon, of Porsche racing fame) and organised by Murray Smith. Each year Murray invites a special guest who is the 'honoree' and in recent years there have been such notables as Danny Sullivan, Phil Hill , Dan Gurney , and Jim Hall. The exchange of stories between Phil Hill and Dan Gurney of their early racing days was a classic.

Howden and Judy have been among the guests at this fairly exclusive Rolex dinner on several occasions. It is, no doubt, a very enjoyable event where they could meet up with old friends and Judy in particular would be re-aqainted with people from from her days in SCCA racing.

Here is a lovely tribute I received from Patty McLaren Brickett (thank you Sylvia!)

Judy and I met in the U.S.A. Bruce had met her first and realised what a great driver she was and said to any competitor "watch out for that fiery bird with the red hair" - she drove a Mini in those days. Bruce then sadly had his accident. After several months, the team invited me to the Mexican Grand Prix. Judy and several friends were staying in the same hotel as myself. We, (the McLaren Team) were going to the Can Am race at Riverside - two weeks in between. The group were going on holiday and kindly invited me to go to Acapulco with them and what fun we had. Judy suggested she would love to come to the U.K. We got on like a house on fire so she stayed with me and we had a great time. We both learned to fly in 1971 at Fairoaks Airport and were then the first two ladies to fly solo on the same day in less hours than the men. Howden has the photo.

She was a great lady, so full of life and coped with her illness with great fortitude. I feel privileged to have been her friend and to have introduced her to Howden - what a wonderful relationship that became. He is also very special and a dear friend of many years.

The BT8 has subsequently been sold and was back racing in England at Goodwood in 2005. It was supposed to have a plaque on the instrument panel detailing its history and ownership, but I don't know if it actually does.

I am not sure if it is still there. I affixed it when the car was completed. I raced the car from 1995 to 2004 when I became partially blind and had a tough time to see ahead of me, so I sold it with lots of regrets. Here is a picture of it when I had it:

It was decorated as Robs drove it at Monterey in 1964. Howden Ganley stopped by the Stand 21 display tent at the Monterey Historics last Saturday and we had a good talk about how good of a lady Judy was. She was human kindness at its best.Regards,

Originally posted by ErinKondratieff (from Patty McLaren) We both learned to fly in 1971 at Fairoaks Airport and were then the first two ladies to fly solo on the same day in less hours than the men. Howden has the photo.

Judy and Patty took their flying lessons with Brymon Aviation, the business owned by Bill Bryceand Chris Amon (hence Brymon).

When she was back in California Judy kept her hours up flying out of Oakland, the famous airfieldfrom which Amelia Earhart commenced her round the world flights, including the last one from which she was not to return.

Judy and Patty had their photo taken immediately after their solos at Fairoaks, courtesy of Bill Bryce , and then Patty gave a picture to Judy suitably signed. Howden gave me a copy of the photo some time ago.

Thereafter Howden and Judy used to fly to a lot of the races with Chris Amon.

( Left to right) Grant,Judy,Livvie, Mack, Nicki and Howden. This photo was taken in 2005 at San Francisco Airport on our way through to Canada on a skiing trip. We had a few hours and Howden and Judy very kindly came to see us and have lunch with us before our connecting flight. We exchanged Christmas presents as it was 2 days after Christmas.

Jackie called me and told me the sad news about Judy. I am so sorry to have lost touch with you both over the years. As I am sure everyone experiences, life takes us in different directions and with my move to the Canary Islands I started a new phase of my life. Sometimes it takes great courage to move forward as we all store so many fond memories that can never be replaced. And Judy was certainly one of those friends I always felt I had only seen yesterday, even though the last time we met, many years had gone by. I always remember our first meeting in California in 1971 and being stunned by her beautiful blue eyes. I thought she was one of the most fascinating women I had ever met and soo sexy! We hit it off straight away, sharing stories that you rarely share with even your closest friends. She had an amazing ability to listen and had an inner strength about her that made you feel very safe. Another outstanding quality was her astute perception of people. She rarely judged people and always saw the best in everybody. I can still hear the sound of her unique laugh to this day and boy did we laugh!! I laughed with Judy more than anyone else I knew. Her dry sense of humour had me under the table on many occasions. We had a deep connection that special friends always have and I am sure she is in a happy place where we are all going to meet again someday. I send her my special love and to you, Howden, at this time.

Judy and Howden's wedding day (26 June 1975) at the Maidenhead town hall. Tim Schenken is behind the camera. Lynne Oliver is directly behind Judy & Howden with Jackie just behind her. Patty McLaren is on the step just behind and left of Judy.

Judy first met Lynne Oliver when they were at the CanAm races in 1971. Jackie was driving the Shadow CanAm car and Judy was there with theMcLaren team. When Howden went to Riverside to drive the BRM in the finalCanAm race of the season, Lynne and Jackie made sure that he and Judy wenton their first date. The rest is history.

In response to the sailing mentioned by Erin; I know as a competitive sportswoman (in so many sports too), Judy would have loved the America's Cup. She would have remembered for years to come all the teams, who sailed for which team, how many races they won and lost (and probably would remember how many minutes and seconds between them as well!)

There are definite similarities between sailing and car racing and in numerous conversations I had with Judy over the years, I was always amazed at the depth of knowledge she had in regards to the competition, the sponsorship, the finances etc but in particular the way people conduct themselves and the various personalities involved. She just "got" how people are and how they can be - good or bad!

Originally posted by Nicki Dalton ( Left to right) Grant,Judy,Livvie, Mack, Nicki and Howden. This photo was taken in 2005 at San Francisco Airport on our way through to Canada on a skiing trip. We had a few hours and Howden and Judy very kindly came to see us and have lunch with us before our connecting flight. We exchanged Christmas presents as it was 2 days after Christmas. [/B]

Besides racing with the SF Region of the SCCA and holding the office of Treasurer for Judy was also a very good cook. In the September 1969 issue of the SF Region magazine, THE WHEEL, she contributed the following recipe for Zesty Lamb Patty BBQ:

Eight patties are constructed from about 1.5 lbs of ground lamb. Half of the patties are covered with a slice of Swiss or Monterey Jack Cheese, over which 2 tablespoons of chopped green onions are distributed. Garlic salt and Accent (a seasoning) are sprinkled over the other four patties and these are then placed over the four cheese covered patties. The edges are sealed, making sure that no cheese is visible afterwards. After grilling to taste, they can be served on buns or as an entree with potato salad or macaroni salad.

On Tuesday,Howden, Judy's cousin Susie, her husband Tom, Jeremy and Karen Rossiter, Carol Hutton and a groupl of friends, planted a copper flowering cherry at Maidenhead Golf Club in memory of Judy. I hope it grows into a lovely tree and that will flower every spring to remind everyone of our fried.

On Wednesday [yes. never a dull moment!] we [assorted friends,old and new Doghouse as well as husbands, partners and friends] had lunch at Brooklands Museum which was brilliant. The Blue Bird Room overlooks the museum and comes with adjacent bar. As well as having a jolly lunch, we do not seem to be losing the ability to talk endlessly and there was lots of catching up to do and we also raise something in the order of £300 for a charity of Judy's choice which sends wheel chairs to the third world.
In the F1 exhibit is a glass case full of Doghouse stuff. yes, as I always thought, we are now a museum exhibit. There is even a picture of me in a past Doghouse cabaret experience..... but that is just too scarey to discuss here.
Thanks to any and everyone here.
Loti

The above photo was taken at Laguna Seca Raceway in May of 1969. It shows Judy in her Mini-Cooper leading an MG Midget out of the old Turn 9 and in front of the grandstand. Unfortunately, no race results were with the photo to indicate where she finished.

I was recently given a copy of the Summer 2007 British Racing Drivers' Club bulletin, and in it is this Obituary for Judy. You must have to be a fairly notable person in motor racing get your obituary in that very exclusive magazine. Great photo.

Last week the BRDC held their annual golf tournament, an event in which Judy played for many years. She won the Doghouse Trophy for best lady on three seperate occasions and on one of them, seen here, she is being presented with the Trophy by Derek Bell.

John Fitzpatrick, left, was at that time BRDC Club Secretary and organiser of the tournament. His wife Sandra won the Trophy in some of the years that Judy didn't.

Judy would have been so pleased that her friend Joy MacDowel was this year's winner.

The tree planting for Judy was just wonderful, thanks to Loti and Howden. It was a perfect sunny day and we were surrounded by Judy's friends. My husband Tom and I were happy to be there. He took these photos.

The tree is a copper flowering cherry. The thing was....I went to the garden centre and asked for a giant Californian Redwood and strangely they said there was little or no call for them in West Sussex, well, if you were a tree, what sort of tree would you be? I thought Judy was a Redwood but some times you have to settle for what you can get! Many years ago our friend Eba Grant died and on the day I went to the garden centre the cherry was flowering its little socks off and did so every year on the anniversary. Judy died the day after Eba so I very much hope that this little tree will grow into a big beautiful tree and flower every April to remind everyone. It was, as Susie said a lovely sunny day and lots of friends turned out to be with us. Thanks for posting your pictures, Susie.
Loti

Erin - I'm not sure whether I can say I'm a young racing driver or a person under 30 who peddles as fast he can around a circuit or what, but as a "slight" outsider it has been great to read this thread on Judy and apologies I couldn't make Brooklands, work and France called but then got cancelled at the last minute but too late.

I met you Mum many many times at Doghouse rehersals when my Mum, Carol Hutton (nee Marshall) took me along and I always thought Judy was an "attractive older lady". I had never known about her motor racing before this thread and she sounds like she was extremely good and didn't take any rough stuff from the boys.

The one memory I would like to share (other than all the Doghouse rehersals I saw, she was great) was when she was proudly showing Mum pictures of one of her grandchildren (yours I assume??) and there was a picture of said granchild being held by Clint Eastwood and my Mum being her usual very bad memory or nintnetional untactful self commented it was nice to see that you had travelled to Carmel and got Clint to pose for a picture with one of the granchildren but slightly over the top. Judy kindly pointed out the relationship with him, class!! It was even more funny that he was one of my Mum's Mums heroes, who she did get to meet luckily!! I wonder what he's like behind the wheel!!

I wish you all the best for the future and I hope you get some comfort from threads like this, I know I did when my Dad passed away.

Hi Gregor! What a nice post! It really has been so nice to hearfrom everyone and get new stories about mom. I enjoyed the Doghouse rehearsals - they were a lot of fun!

This is the picture you referred to in your post - my daughter Nicki at 6 months old, being held by Uncle Clint at our family get together near Yosemite on Thanksgiving day in 1991. He used tocall her Spalding, because her head was fuzzy like a tennis ball.

The other picture is of Nicki with her Grandma Judy and GrandpaHowden in January of this year. As you can see, she's grown a bit! :-)

The attached is from Doug Nye's column published in MotorSport, volume 83, No. 9 which is the current issue. Be sure to read the entire column to the end in order to appreciate why so many Formula One drivers gathered together prior to their races to hear Judy's "readings".

Originally posted by GAH The attached is from Doug Nye's column published in MotorSport, volume 83, No. 9 which is the current issue. Be sure to read the entire column to the end in order to appreciate why so many Formula One drivers gathered together prior to their races to hear Judy's "readings".

In his MotorSport article, Doug Nye talks about CanAm Readings of 1971. Post #71 by Mirage also talks about the readings and has a picture of Mom & Denny Hulme, who loved the readings.

Doug also mentions Mom’s memorial service. Fittingly for an American, the service was held on the 4th of July, her favorite holiday, at St James the Less Church at Stubbings, near Maidenhead. Sir Jackie Stewart delivered a beautiful eulogy, including humorous remarks about the famous CanAm era “readings” that mom was famous for. This was followed by a wonderful, heart-felt tribute from Lionel Squire, Centenary Captain of Maidenhead Golf Club. Michael MacDowel, who is well known to most TNFers, gave the Reading from the Bible.

The ancient stone church was absolutely packed with people from all walks of life, including a large number of ex-Formula One and Sports Car drivers, team managers, journalists, Doghouse and Cabaret ladies, and of course, golfers.

After the church service, the crowd moved on to the Maidenhead Golf Club where we had a "Celebration of the Life of Judy”. A buffet luncheon was served, further spoken tributes were given, and hundreds of pictures from mom’s life were displayed around the room. Many of the pictures, set to some of mom’s favorite music, as well as clips from Mom's "famous" race movie "Judy & Jay", were included on the “Life of Judy” DVD that was shown. Howden and I were very touched and comforted by the outpouring of love and support from all the dear friends and associates who attended that day.

This was taken following another of Judy's wins at the British RacingDrivers' Club annual golf tournament. She won the Doghouse Trophy forfirst lady on three seperate occasions, 1990, 1995, and 1997. Howdenwon the outright competition for members in 1994.

Just been checking again all the items about Judy and was amazed to see her listing just below that of Howden and it made me wonder if there is a book out there waiting to be written about these two wonderful people and their lives both in and outside the racing world !!

Well, you know them as well, if not better than most, what are you waiting for?
Isn't Howden writing a book or is that just an ongoing project? Judy will of course feature in the Doghouse Book [now in production] but it will certainly not cover everything.
The more I read this thread, the more I realise I didn't know them at all!
Loti

Originally posted by Nicki Dalton There is nothing Judy couldn't have accomplished - she was a very successful racing driver, golfer, talented artist, tennis player, skiier, water skiier and artist - just to mention a few.

She was also an accomplished angler and loved to fish in Montana with the family. Here she is, catching our lunch, which we cleaned and cooked by the side of the river...

Another from the archives. This was taken in 1985 at the Le Mansscrutineering which used to be held in the square in the middle of thecity. In this photo, Judy and Howden are standing between the three Tiga Group C cars - the GC84 of Tim Lee Davey in the centre flanked by the twoGC 285's belonging to the late Roy Baker. Judy did the team timing andlap charting at the race which must have been very hard work for 24 hours. That was before the days of transponders and computerised lap charting.